Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner – Temporary Position: 6 Months
Start Date: Immediate
Application Deadline: 15th June 2025
Pay rate £350 – 450 per day (Inside IR35).

London/SE England

Local authority experience

The Role:
Deliver high-quality financial advice and support to services and the wider organisation. This role is responsible for providing comprehensive and innovative support to senior managers, working collaboratively with various service areas and colleagues across the finance function.

Key Accountabilities:

Provide financial and management accounting support to a range of services, including preparation of revenue budgets, closure of accounts, financial monitoring and control, forecasting, and financial planning.

Offer financial advice to service managers, including guidance on the adequacy of financial procedures, processes, and service-based financial systems.

Advise and support on the identification, assessment, and reporting of the financial implications of decision reports prepared for senior management consideration.

Collaborate with service managers to undertake investigations, analytical reviews, and other financial projects to ensure resources are used effectively, including assistance with bids or claims for external funding.

Constructively challenge the status quo regarding existing budgets and assumptions.

Provide financial advice and support on service and corporate projects, including working groups as required.

Help foster a culture that empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value-for-money services, incorporating evidence-based reporting, benchmarking information, and key cost drivers.

Ensure the effective completion of all appropriate government returns and other requests for financial and statistical data, including contributions to corporate returns for both revenue and capital.

Actively support crosscutting service initiatives and acquire and maintain comprehensive service-specific knowledge to support policy and service development.

Experience and Skills Required:

Full CCAB (or equivalent) qualification, or extensive experience in a similar role.

Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development.

Confidence and experience in providing professional advice to management on complex financial matters.

Previous experience in a finance business partner role within local government or the wider public sector.

Up-to-date knowledge and experience in local government accounting, especially the requirements of various CIPFA Codes of Practice and other regulatory requirements as they relate to service and functional responsibilities.

Ability to read, interpret, and implement regulations, procedural changes, and new accounting requirements.

Ability to work to tight deadlines within an environment of conflicting demands and changing priorities.

Strong knowledge of financial systems and their application.

Excellent spreadsheet and financial modelling skills, with extensive use of MS Office.

Ability to constructively challenge prevailing views and demonstrate creativity and innovation in working with services.

Strong relationship-building skills with senior management, service managers, and budget holders, based on mutual trust and respect.